Poor credit business loans – funding for all credit histories
A poor credit history doesn’t tell the whole story of your business. Borrow £5,000-£500,000, assessed on your current trading performance and affordability alongside your credit record – not declined on credit score alone.
- Soft credit check — no footprint
- Poor credit, missed payments, and defaults considered
- Decision in 24 hours
- Human decisions
What is a poor credit business loan?
A loan for bad credit is unsecured funding assessed with real weight given to your current trading performance and affordability, rather than an automatic decline based on credit score alone. We look at your bank statements, turnover, and trading pattern alongside your credit history to judge whether the loan is affordable now.
Businesses with poor credit commonly use this funding to cover:
Growth and stock
Fund the day-to-day needs of the business without a poor credit history closing off every option.
Cash flow gaps
Bridge a shortfall without the credit score a mainstream bank typically requires.
Rebuilding trading strength
Access funding while demonstrating a period of stronger, more recent trading since the judgment.
Tax bills and one-off costs
Cover VAT, corporation tax, or an unexpected bill without dipping into reserves earmarked elsewhere.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
£50,000 – £500,000
Loan amount
6 – 60 months
Repayment term
No assets needed
Unsecured lending
Fixed monthly payments
No surprise charges
No early repayment fees
Repay whenever you're ready
Won’t affect your credit score
Can i really get a loan with a bad credit history?
What counts as poor credit and does it rule me out?
What is poor credit?
It can mean a low personal or business credit score, a pattern of late or missed payments, a default recorded against a past debt, a CCJ, or simply a thin credit file because the business is relatively new and hasn’t built up much history
Can I get a loan with bad credit?
A business that’s been trading steadily and profitably for the past 12 months, even with a default from three years ago still on file, is often a stronger application than the credit score would suggest.
So what do lenders look at?
Our lenders look at your bank statements and current trading pattern alongside your credit history, rather than using credit score as an automatic cut-off – it gives a fuller picture of whether the loan is affordable.
Eligibility
Am I eligible for a business loan with poor credit?
We lend across all sectors and consider applications from businesses with a poor credit history. Meet the basics below and there’s a strong chance we can help.
Based and trading in the UK
Make sure you are registered with Companies House, and have at least 12 months of trading history.
Poor credit won't rule you out
Missed payments, defaults, and low credit scores are considered alongside your current trading position.
Not currently insolvent
Make sure your company is in a position to repay any debts or credit.
The process
How do I apply for a loan with poor credit?
Simple and fast, starting with a soft check that won’t affect your score.
Apply in minutes
Tell us about your business and the amount you want.
Soft credit check
We check your eligibility without leaving a mark on your credit file.
We say yes
A real person reviews your application and comes back to you within 24 hours.
Money in your account
Sign your agreement and the funds are on their way.
Costs
How much will poor credit business finance cost me?
Your rate is personalised and confirmed before you commit, based on your trading history, affordability, and the details of the CCJ. Based on our representative APR of 18.9%, here are some illustrative examples:
| Loan amount | Acceptance | High street bank | Total repayable |
|---|---|---|---|
| £50,000 | 24 months | £2,510 | £60,240 |
| £100,000 | 36 months | £3,640 | £131,040 |
| £200,000 | 48 months | £5,820 | £279,360 |
| £350,000 | 60 months | £9,030 | £541,800 |
| £500,000 | 60 months | £12,920 | £775,200 |
18.9%
Will poor credit mean I’m charged a higher rate?
Your rate reflects overall risk, and credit history is one factor alongside your trading performance and affordability – but poor credit alone won’t necessarily mean the highest rate, and it won’t rule you out of applying.
Can I repay early?
Yes, at any time with zero penalties. You only pay interest for the period you held the loan.
Work out your loan
Work out your bad credit funding
What would my repayments be? Get an instant estimate. No credit impact.
- Finance £50,000 to £500,000
- Terms from 6 to 60 months
- No early repayment penalties
Your loan estimate
Illustrative only. No impact on your credit score.
Representative APR 18.9%. Subject to status and eligibility. For illustrative purposes only.
Your actual rate may differ. See full calculator
What we offer
5 things you'll need to apply
Some of the documentation that may be required when you apply includes:
Company registration number
Your company registration number from Companies House, used to verify your business and confirm its trading status.
Confirmation of annual turnover
So we can size the loan and move fast against your deadline.
3–6 months of bank statements
Recent statements showing your trading activity, so we can assess your cash flow and affordability accurately.
An account of your credit history
Including any missed payments, defaults, or other credit issues – it helps us match you to the right lender faster.
Your contact details
Name, email address, and phone number, along with your role in the business, so we can verify you’re authorised to apply on its behalf.
We welcome applications from limited companies, sole traders, partnerships, and LLPs — including businesses with an imperfect credit history.
Features
What more should I know about applying with poor credit?
What actually counts as poor credit?
A low credit score, missed or late payments, a default, a CCJ, or simply a thin credit history are all considered under this umbrella – each is weighed differently depending on how recent and how severe it is.
Will Acceptance run a credit check?
No. We assess your application using a soft credit check only, which has no impact on your credit score. A lender’s own check only applies if you proceed to a formal offer, and we’ll tell you first.
Does one missed payment rule me out?
Not on its own. A single, older credit issue is generally viewed very differently to a recent or repeated pattern, and we look at your overall trading picture rather than one entry in isolation.
Will applying affect my credit score?
No. Our soft credit check leaves no mark on your file, so you can check where you stand without any risk.
Put it to work
What else can you do with business loans from Acceptance?
Whatever stage your SME is at, here’s what our customers use Acceptance funding for.
- Settle VAT, PAYE, or corporation tax in full
- Stabilise cash flow around payment deadlines
- Hire staff or cover payroll
- Buy stock or inventory
- Rebuild trading strength after a difficult period
- Consolidate other short-term debt
Common questions about poor credit business loans
Can I get a business loan with poor credit?
Yes. We consider applications from businesses with a poor credit history, assessed alongside your current trading performance and affordability rather than declined on credit score alone.
What's the difference between poor credit and a CCJ?
Poor credit is a broader term covering a low credit score, missed payments, defaults, or a thin credit history. A CCJ is a specific court order confirming an unpaid debt, and is one thing that can contribute to poor credit, but isn't the only cause - see our dedicated CCJ page for more detail.
Does poor credit mean I'll definitely be turned down?
Not automatically. A single, older credit issue is generally easier to lend against than a recent or repeated pattern, but every application is assessed on its own merits.
Will applying affect my credit score?
No. We run a soft credit check to assess eligibility, which leaves no mark on your credit file.
Can newer businesses with a thin credit file still apply?
Yes. A limited credit history is treated differently to an actively poor one - we look at your trading performance since starting up alongside whatever credit history does exist.
How quickly can I get a decision?
Most applicants receive a decision within 24 hours, with funds released in as little as 48 hours once you proceed
Explore more
Other ways Acceptance can fund your business
Loan for Tax Bills
Borrow to avoid HMRC late payments on corporation, PAYE or any other tax bill.